Bishopthorpe News and Views

The Marcia is due to re-open shortly (see story below) and the outside has been given a facelift. Planning consent has been applied for by Punch Taverns for illuminated signs on the front and gable end walls. Work has been completed on these despite the fact that planning approval or otherwise is pending. According to the Council's planning website the target for completion of the proces is today.

Having seen the amount of illumination in an area that is specially protected by conservation area status, you may want to send in comments or objections to the lighting and signs, despite the fact that the expiry date is supposed to be 29 November. As the application was received on 6th November you may also feel 23 days is rather less than is normally allowed for planning consents.

In any event, if you want to make comments, you can do so online here, and the responsible officer at the Council will no doubt be able to read them on Monday.   

Can anybody take a better picture of Christmas lights?? I have a casio exilum camera and this is my best effort!

I know we have a camera club in Bishopthorpe, it would be great if a member came forward and took some pics of the best lit up gardens in Bishopthorpe.

Phil

 The Marcia pub re-opened on Tuesday with a new look inside and out. At a launch party the previous evening landlord Adam Harris and his staff welcomed regulars to the re-furbished bar and dining areas. 

The former bar is now a comfortable drinking and dining area, that leads into the former conservatory which can be screened off if required. Lighting and soft furnishings enhance the look. The former saloon bar is now a public bar, with two flat screen TVs and a brand-new pool table that sits on a discovered and restored parquet floor. Again new furnishings and heritage coloured walls create a modern look.

Lounge	Bar
Serving on opening day	Staff take a break

Two bits of news:

The Coop ATM in Main Street is now free to use for all Link cards.

Ever thought you could scan your shopping at Tesco quicker than Mavis on the till?

Well, now is your chance to prove it, as Tesco has introduced new self-service checkouts. Great fun - is this a banana or a plantian, is this a Cox or some French rubbish?

And watch out you don't lift your shopping off the special place too soon, or security will think you are running off without paying! You are being watched!!

St. Andrew's Church provided a festival of Christmas Nativities today. It was well worth a visit bearing in mind all the hard work that had gone into each display.

Well done to everybody who took part.

Phil

Local residents this week received a leaflet stating that there will be no green bin collection during the Christmas period. There will be a grey bin collection on each of three successive weeks.

I telephoned York Pride to ask about emptying of recycling boxes. I was told that boxes will be emptied on their normal day even though green bins will not.

This was not explained in the leaflet, but those of us whose guests empty a lot of bottles during the Christmas period  may be relieved to know that they (the bottles - not the guests) will be taken away.

Ian 

This year's Bishopthorpe Christmas tree is better than ever thanks to local efforts.

The tree was donated by the family of local resident Elsie McTurk who died last year aged 89. It was felled in her garden and handed over to Jenny Harris. A new stand has been bought, and once again Richard Williams has set up the new electrical installation using the supply laid on for the Sensory Garden.

With more lights - funded by the Parish Council, the very green and locally sourced tree looks splendid.

The crib was beautiful and was looked at by many children and adults with great admiration.

Chris Coates (Vicar) led the service. He always manages to engage the children and make the service special for all who attend.

Many children performed the Christmas Nativity.

When the lights were lowered and the Christingle's were lit...as the children sung 'away in a manger'...it became a very emotional experience.

Phil

We've got nice new bus stops around the village, but no timetable information on them. Can't be that difficult you would have thought to post it up - except the City council put up the signs and presumably nobody has told the bus company.

Anyway - here is a potted version for you to use.